PUB MEAL AND A DRIVE TO BLAGDON LAKES.
For all those of us who fancy a drive out, how about getting together at the Blagdon Lake Visitors Centre for a chat or picnic. It is set in the grounds of an old Victorian Pumping station. There are also some great walks, something for the kids and you can feed the fish!

Parking was free, and informal. It's open from 2pm till 6pm, so would be ideal for an afterlunch get together.

Description from their web site:
This summer, why not enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the beautiful surroundings of Blagdon Pumping Station and Visitor Centre. Whether your interests lie in science, history or the environment there's so much to enjoy. Inside, the centre is packed with exhibits and hands-on displays as well as a room dedicated to the charity WaterAid where you can have a go on a working hand pump. Best of all, the giant beam engine will be turning...just like it has done for almost 100 years. Outside we have acres of space for picnics and a chance to wander our nature trail. You might even get a chance to feed some of our 20,000 trout on site.

The drive to the pumping station is through some stunning countryside and its close to the main A roads.

It's open every Sunday so how about the 16th May?

[1] Naranto
[2]
[3] ETC.

BRISTOL CAR SHOW

Sunday 13 June 2004
Durdham Down, Bristol.

In aid of Bernardos.
Entry fee £5 payble to Bernardos.
Chance to get together and help a charity. Lots of cars old and new. You must pre-book. PM me and I will send you a copy of the entry form as a PDF.
1) Naranto2)
3)
ETC.

Dave,
definately up for a 'lazy' sunday meet on the 16th.
No can do for the Bristol Motor show as it clashes with my TSSC 'Brean Beach Party' which i organise.
The Motor show has been moved a week forwards

There is always the Burrington Inn, Burrington Coomb. Not particularly pretty as pubs go but serves very good food at a reasonable price (also welcomes youngsters) and you can use the excuse/reason that it is ideally placed for any gardening requirements - it is right next to a garden centre :P

If you are all up for it I will try and book soem tables closer to the date.

It was suggested we hold the pub meet at 'The Blagdon Inn' as it has a much larger car park, great pub food and overlooks the valley .

Also the pub owner is a bit of a car enthusiast. I will drive out this weekend and have a nose.
Lazy sunday meet, May 16th:
[1] Naranto & family
[2] Nev
[3] Munki & Mrs Munki
[4] Billie and Rob S.
[5] Matthew
[6] Martin & family
[7]

If anyone fancies a look at some old helicopters we could take a run to the Helicopter Museum at W-s-M - the biggest collection of rotary wing aircraft in Europe! - not far from Blagdon. If enough people are interested I could negotiate a group entry fee and would be happy to provide a narrated tour, including the restoration hangar and "boneyard", neither of which is usually open to the public. There's also a cafe and plenty of parking space. www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk

Sounds as though we have a quorum - something about big things growing from little seeds (but I'm not a literary genius so can't remember the exact quotation!).

I'm going to start a new thread for a meet in the W-s-M area over the weekend of Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July, which just happens to coincide with this year's annual "Weston-super-Helidays" event on the Beach Lawns. There will be a W-s-H website soon and I'll post whatever links I can find .

There's a small entrance fee (last year it was £2 for adults) for the event and there will be around 50 "live and working" helicopters parked on the Lawns, with crews from all over Europe. Everything from a Chinook or a MH-53E (Super Stallion) to Robinson R22s. An area of the beach (hard sand, tide doesn't get to all of it!) is set aside for parking and I might, just might, be able to rope off a "Saabs-only area". We do have to pay to park but it's not going to break the bank. Profits from the w/e are shared between local charities and the Museum. Sounds as though a "Saturday evening cruise" is on the cards?????

FOR PUB MEET
If approaching from the Churchill end (A38) it is the other side of the village.
Look for a pub on your right hand side called 'The Live and Let Live'.
Turn left here into Church Road. Sign says 'Inn'.
Proceed along this narrow road for about 500 yards.
The 'NEW INN' is on your right. Breathtaking views, outdoor seating and good size.

We were unable to stay on Sunday, so I will give it another visit this week, check the menus and speak to the landlord.

FOR BLAGDON LAKE PUMPING STATION
If approaching from the Churchill end (A38) it is near the centre of the village.
Just past The Queen Adelaide pub...
look for Blagdon Village Club on your left - it is on a 90 degree right hand up hill bend!
Turn left here (Station Road)and proceed down the hill till the road flattens out .
Entrance to the Pumping Station is on your left